...about their gods and the foundation of their city were influenced by Greek mythology. Ancient Rome is filled with history of great wars and heroes, the mighty and the fallen. They were renowned conquers becoming one of the largest empires of their time. The romans were skilled finding their strengths in the engineering industry as well as the law. Although this ancient civilisation existed millenniums ago, they still effect the times of today. A prime example of this is the language, English. Romans spoke Latin and as they conquered and settled through Europe, “Latin fused with the native languages,” creating the romance languages of today; “Italian, French, Spanish, Portuguese… and Catalan.” The vocabulary of English has also largely derived from the Latin language. Although the current times of today have been influenced by the times of the ancients, the Romans however were influenced to an extent by the ancient Greek’s civilisation. By the 2nd century BC, Rome had a very evident impact from the culture of the Greeks. Greeks had begun to settle on the south then later migrating further north of Italy’s peninsula, and occupying the city of Sicily. There is neither exact date nor event that stipulates the cross of two nations however events such as the Macedonian and Carthage wars of Roman conquest would have aided in the direct contact to Greek colonization. The influence of Greece can be seen throughout every aspect of a Romans day-to-day life. This includes law to literature...
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...to Angelica Kauffmann paint of Cornelia Presenting her Children is that is set in the Roman times. You see a woman in an ancient Roman dress and sandals. The children, Tiberius and Gaius look as they are sneaking up on the women. The younger child looks as she is bored by the conversation happening. The visitor seems to be showing of her jewels that she has and by the title of the painting I am guessing that Cornelia is showing of her sons as her gift or treasures. One of the details in the painting that interesting is the clothing of the individuals Kauffmann used a lot of detailing in the beautifully draped togas and sandals. The facial expression on the individuals is also very interesting and expressive....
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...Three impressive civilizations, from different time periods, have managed to influence each others cultures through the literature works of poetry; from Ancient Egyptian song: “I Am Your Best Girl”, to the glorious Greek love poems of the beautiful Sappho, and the monotheistic Hebrews Song: “I Am the Rose of Sharon.” Over the course of thousands of years, each of these great civilizations had countless views on poetry; all represented inspiration to their own citizens to become successful in life’s endeavors. All forms of literature, art, scripts and artifacts had a wide effect on these societies. By comparing these key examples of poetry, matters of passion for personal integrity, search for eternal love, admiration for greater quality of life and powerful affection towards dear ones, can give us a better understanding towards the emotional and dignifying experiences each culture portrayed. In the first Love Song: “I Am Your Best Girl,” there are many contrasts between the authors theme of powerful affection towards a beloved and the authors self-definition of ones own society. To start, the author sets a personal tone of desire and devotion to ones beloved. She shows ones worth in the first few lines of a simile “I belong to you like an acre of land which I have planted,” here the poet doesn’t mind becoming a part of mans property, she is deeply devoted to him. Nevertheless, it can also bring meaning into a hard days work of maintaining the land and applying that to her...
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...plays in today’s society. THE ROLE OF GREEK AND ROMAN LITERATURE Over the years, literature of ancient Greece and Rome has affected art, religion, philosophy, science and mathematics, medicine, drama, and poetry profoundly. It has served as a basic model for the development of later European literatures and, consequently, the writings of the historians, geographers, philosophers, scientists, and rhetoricians are read today as sources of historical information and enjoyment. Alfred Whitehead, the famous British philosopher-mathematician, once commented that: “[A]ll philosophy is but a footnote to Plato” (Comptons Encyclopedia). A similar point can be made regarding Greek literature as a whole. The Greek world of thought was far ranging and ideas discussed today have been previously debated by ancient writers. In fact, until recently, in Western culture, an acquaintance with classical Latin (as well as Greek) literature was basic to a liberal education. Roman literature such as epic and lyric poetry, rhetoric, history, comic drama and satire (the last genre being the only literary form that the Romans invented) serve as today’s backbone for a basic understanding of expression and artistic creativity, as well as history. Greek comedies such as those of Naevius and Andronicus, as well as historical writings in epic poems (First Punic War), tell the story of Rome and its conquests and served as prototypes for Aroman epics. Later poets imitated early Roman writers as...
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...The Epic of Gilgamesh is one of the earliest known literary works. This Babylonian epic poem arises from stories in the Sumerian language. Although the Sumerian stories are older (probably dating to at least 2100 B.C.), it was probably composed around 1900 BC. The epic deals with themes of heroism, friendship, loss, and the quest for eternal life. Different historical periods are reflected in literature. National and tribal sagas, accounts of the origin of the world and of customs, and myths which sometimes carry moral or spiritual messages predominate in the preurban eras. The epics of Homer, dating from the early to middle Iron age, and the great Indian epics of a slightly later period, have more evidence of deliberate literary authorship, surviving like the older myths through oral tradition for long periods before being written down. As a more urban culture developed, academies provided a means of transmission for speculative and philosophical literature in early civilizations, resulting in the prevalence of literature in Ancient China, Ancient India, Persia and Ancient Greece and Rome. Many works of earlier periods, even in narrative form, had a covert moral or didactic purpose, such as the Sanskrit Panchatantra or the Metamorphoses of Ovid. Drama and satire also developed as urban culture provided a larger public audience, and later readership, for literary production. Lyric poetry (as opposed to epic poetry) was often the speciality of courts and aristocratic circles...
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...The term “Middle Ages” was used by Italian historians in the 15th and 16th centuries. The culture at that time was similar to that of ancient Rome and Greece but different from the time between the fall of Rome and that time (Hanawalt, 1998). This period was later replaced by the Renaissance period and has been described as a period of rebirth where ancient techniques were revived and new ones developed leading to more success in the art industry. Artists were inspired by the recovery of Greco-Roman heritage from the East and the importation of Byzantine examples to the West (Zirpolo, 2008). This essay discusses the relationship between the Middle Ages and Renaissance historical art periods. The Middle Ages was considered a period of ignorance, barbarism and superstition (Hanawalt, 1998). This period was called the dark ages due to the negative practices involved, but Scholars saw the period differently stating that the history was a continuous process from biblical times to their time. Most of them wrote about battles, feudalism, crusades, manorialism, kings and emperors, rise of towns, Universities and churches (Hanawalt, 1998). Representations of art during this period were modestly scaled with little creativity because artists did their work collectively and mainly for religious purposes. There was no competition in the art industry and traditional techniques were used to design objects. Art was used to spread religion in Europe and throughout other parts of the...
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...THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL ASIA FALL SEMESTER 2014 History of Art Dr Raymond-Josef Hoffmann Description: This course is an introduction to art as the embodiment of cultural, social, and political values, ranging from ancient civilizations to the modern period. The class examines painting, sculpture, and architecture , and both domestic and ornamental artifacts of Near Eastern, Mediterranean and Western civilisations. Various historical periods will be considered through an examination of creative practices, themes, and visual forms. Examples of the work of representative artists and movements, from Praxiteles in ancient Greece to recent artists will be explored. The course will also consider cultural and artistic exchanges between societies of Europe, the Americas, Asia (including central Asia), and Africa, when appropriate. Human beings have been culture-makers and illustrators from the beginning: the history of our species on earth can be traced from early cave drawings and implements for eating and hunting to decorative arts, gothic cathedrals, skyscrapers to non-cognitive forms of expression that defy interpretation. This course is an exploration of an essential aspect of our attempts to shape the world and to create an environment in which self-expression, pleasure, ideology and aspiration can thrive. 1. Structure: The course comprises two 80 minute discussion/seminars based on specific works of art each week. The topics and readings are given...
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...hear this we know that there may be little to possibly no truth to it, and maybe even a story from ancient history. Myths can range from different meanings based on who is telling the myth, the culture, and much more. Below there will be information that will elaborate on the many questions of what a myth is, how it is relevant in contemporary culture and the many belief systems that follow through with Myths. What Is a Myth? The word myth has been used on this earth for as long as we know, and is a popular word that is used to generally to tell a story, event, history, or even to describe a legend of some sort or time. Although many myths may be imaginary as told, they are most certainly acknowledged. There is no proof to many of the myths but they hold significance to many, and many hold dear to their beliefs regarding the myths regardless of its minimal proof to be a fact or not. There are many stories that are told from different cultures that have continued to be told through time, and depending on our culture, and who told these stories they follow and hold great significance to many and some will believe them and others may not. The Most common mythological themes across different cultures especially the seven major cultural groups Africa, the Americas, Northern Europe, the British Isle, Middle East, Greece, Rome, the far East, and the Pacific Islands is creation. Every culture has its myths about pantheons of Gods, good, bad, evil, and reflected in each story they may...
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...revival of “Greek and Roman studies, which emphasized the value of the classics for their own sake, rather than for their relevance to Christianity” (Hunter & Payne, 2003). Humanists believed that through the study of “…the classical study of text of ancient Greece and Rome” (Humanism, 2007) one would be able to improve on society as a whole. During previous periods, this type of teaching was kept mostly to theologians, authors and philosophers. During the Renaissance though, the people who had the means and desire to study classical art and literature were from a broad spectrum of royalty to merchants. The students were not studying for professional reasons but more so for pleasure. The interest in art broadened from works Classical Greece to what, at the time of the Renaissance, were referred to as contemporary works and existed as objects of learning or ideal beauty Literature had its foundation deep in classical roots and there are many similarities and contrasting points of view in their themes. One of the most significant documents of literature, during this period, was the theses (“intellectual propositions”) written by Giovanni Pico della Mirandola which was entitled Oration of the Dignity of Man. The theme of this work “…is that humanity stands at the apex of creation in a way such as to create the link between the world of God and that of the creation” (Cunningham & Reich, 2006). Stating simply that man is the peak of the two forces, one being God and...
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...Art and CultureArt in ancient GreeceThe Charioteer of Delphi, Delphi Archaeological Museum. One of the greatest surviving works of Greek sculpture, dating from about 470 B.C. Source:WikipediaThe art of ancient Greece has exercised an enormous influence on the culture of many countries from ancient times until the present, particularly in the areas of sculpture and architecture. In the West, the art of the Roman Empire was largely derived from Greek models. In the East, Alexander the Great's conquests initiated several centuries of exchange between Greek, Central Asian and Indian cultures, resulting in Greco-Buddhist art, with ramifications as far as Japan. Following the Renaissance in Europe, the humanist aesthetic and the high technical standards of Greek art inspired generations of European artists. Well into the 19th century, the classical tradition derived from Greece dominated the art of the western world.PeriodsThe art of Ancient Greece is usually divided stylistically into four periods: the Geometric, the Archaic, the Classical and the Hellenistic.As noted above, the Geometric age is usually dated from about 1000 BC, although in reality little is known about art in Greece during the preceding 200 years (traditionally known as the Dark Ages), the period of the 7th century BC witnessed the slow development of the Archaic style as exemplified by the black-figure style of vase painting. The onset of the Persian Wars (480 BC to 448 BC) is usually taken as the dividing line...
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...Artistic Themes from Ancient Cultures: Greece and Rome A gender role is something that decides what role the man will play in society, and what role the woman will play in society. These roles can include the position, status, activities, and behavior that is appropriate for one’s sex. The roles of men and women have always been different, and they have generally been expected to have different attitudes and thoughts. Social aspects are reflected by behavior, and the idea that specific behavior is naturally tied to the biological sex of a person is challenged by these social aspects. The word “role” can be reducing because it indicates that something is strongly characterized, but gender roles are specific to culture and history, and the roles do change over time. Gender roles have stayed fairly regular over the course of time, such as women being the sole custodian of the children, many of the roles have changed. It is necessary to know that gender roles can be explained in different ways depending on the culture and background of a specific people. Some cultures feel as if the woman should stay home and take care of the children and the home, while other cultures may feel that the woman should be out making money to help support the family. Even today some cultures believe that women should not be independent or build a family for themselves. Some expectations of gender roles even still prohibit women the right to vote or try to be equal to men. The specifics of gender roles...
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...Defining the Humanities Wanda Lawson HUM 100 Artistic Themes from Ancient Cultures Greece and Rome: Love September 1, 2011 Professor Sarah Farenick The Bible states that love is patient and kind, love is not jealous it does not brag, and it is not proud. Love is not rude, is not selfish, and does not get upset with others. Love is extravagant in the price it is willing to pay, the time it is willing to endure, and the strength it I willing to spend. As a race of people, we all strive for some aspect of love. In our childhood, we strived for the love and acceptance of our parents and siblings. As adolescents, we strive for the love our peers and, as an adult we look for love from that special person, it is important to our daily living. Doctors and scientists of today have found that the lack of love can be contributed to lots of illness. Mental to physical has proven that love can cure many, many illnesses. In the early years of Greece and Roman, citizens were just touching the surface of what we know as love. From cave drawings to carved busts of fertility deities its seen that earlier man thought of love with a spiritual depth that has been diluted today. In Roman times, love portrayed as a minor aspect of ones life. In some Roman literature stories of what may be epic love affairs. Today’s love affair happens often and ends abruptly. Love was known as a feminine emotion in that it was an after thought to the might of the war...
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...term the “Middle Ages”. The culture at the time was similar to that of ancient Rome and Greece. But, differed from the time of the fall of Rome. The “Middle Ages” was later replaced by the Renaissance period. It was period of rebirth of ancient techniques and newly developed techniques that had major success in the art industry. Greco-Roman heritage and Byzantine examples inspired the artists. (Wikipedia, n.d.) This paper will discuss the relationship between Middle Age and Renaissance art periods. The middle ages also known as the dark ages were a period of barbarism, ignorance, and superstition. (Wikipedia, n.d.) The period saw a decrease in prosperity, stability and population in the first century. The period had a massive setback of population due to the Black Death plague. Invasions and incursions plagued Europeans during this period and had a major effect on art. Art was modest and had little creativity and was made mainly for religious purposes. Some art was rare and costly when associated with the church and mostly produced by monks. Since most of the art was used to spread religion it was viewed as utilitarian and not having much value. The renaissance abandoned the middle ages and its modest art and representations of monumental images. (Wikipedia, n.d.) Art became valuable, attractive, and profitable. Artists left behind the middle age thinking and broadened their horizons by developing new techniques and reviving ancient ones. Art was starting to...
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...term the “Middle Ages”. The culture at the time was similar to that of ancient Rome and Greece. But, differed from the time of the fall of Rome. The “Middle Ages” was later replaced by the Renaissance period. It was period of rebirth of ancient techniques and newly developed techniques that had major success in the art industry. Greco-Roman heritage and Byzantine examples inspired the artists. (Wikipedia, n.d.) This paper will discuss the relationship between Middle Age and Renaissance art periods. The middle ages also known as the dark ages were a period of barbarism, ignorance, and superstition. (Wikipedia, n.d.) The period saw a decrease in prosperity, stability and population in the first century. The period had a massive setback of population due to the Black Death plague. Invasions and incursions plagued Europeans during this period and had a major effect on art. Art was modest and had little creativity and was made mainly for religious purposes. Some art was rare and costly when associated with the church and mostly produced by monks. Since most of the art was used to spread religion it was viewed as utilitarian and not having much value. The renaissance abandoned the middle ages and its modest art and representations of monumental images. (Wikipedia, n.d.) Art became valuable, attractive, and profitable. Artists left behind the middle age thinking and broadened their horizons by developing new techniques and reviving ancient ones. Art was starting to...
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...writers to learn about the history of ancient Greece and "the glory that was Rome” and this material was translated by them into English or French after many hours of work. I'm glad the school curriculum of the 21 st century has evolved and we no longer spend our days doing boring stuff like that! Their old-fashioned, subjects that have little relevance in the modern world of the internet and space travel. The question is: shouldn't we allow our education system to further evolve and file Shakespeare in the same drawer where we've stuck Homer, Plato and Ovid? Given the society of North America in the 21 st century, Shakespeare's relevance is declining with each new technical advance. The purpose of this essay is to prove isn't it time to address this question head on, even at the risk of causing legions of English teachers to collapse in horror? Speaking to the world may be the least of the challenges facing those who want the teaching of Shakespeare. Shakespeare's English is the language as they spoke it 400 years ago. It is as ancient and antiquated and old as the Latin and Greek I spoke about in my introduction. Watch any class of high school students tackle Shakespeare and the first book you'll see on theredesks is a student guide of notes explaining who characters are, the plot and the themes. Indeed, it is doubtful that the play itself is ever cracked by some students. How can students in the 21 st century understand any of the great themes raised in these plays if they can't...
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